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Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 28th April 2018

Setting out from Plymouth under a low 8/8th cloudbase with drizzle in the air did not bode well for the day. At the airfield a surprise awaited. The cloudbase was significantly higher with perhaps 7/8th cloud cover. The breeze was 5 knots from the NW so definitely a flying day. Today was pleasant enough but not exactly the balmy shorts and tee shirt weather of last weekend. The RASP soaring forecast was indicating some possible thermal activity so with this in mind the club fielded 2 * K13, the K8 and the Zugvogel.

Looking NE towards Blackdown under a glowering sky

DMX landing behing HXP

First up today was Mike Bennett and Steve Fletcher who both managed some flying before heading off on their mini expedition to Aston Down where Mike was booked on a course and Steve was planning some cross country flying in his Open Cirrrus.

Tom ready for his first flight in HXP

Today's One Day Course Candidate was Thomas Bishop, who flew with me. The weather gods were kind to us and we covered the flying syllabus, did some soaring and generally had a good time. By the end of the day, Tom's basic flying control skills were improving considerably.

K13 G-CHXP soaring the north ridge.
Photo taken by Mike Jardine from K13 G-DDMX

The big news today was the appearance of the Zugvogel at the launchpoint. This glider seems to be often left in the hangar, but today a couple of our members, ( Andy Davey and Barry Green I think ) would not be denied and after a thorough wash and sorting out the tyre pressure it duly appeared. Andy wasted no time in converting to this aircraft and recorded his first flight on this type. Good effort chaps.

Andy looks pleased to be in the Zugvogel for his first flight on typre

Throughout the day there was some soaring to be had. Not as good as promised by RASP but enough for Roger Green to record today's longest flight of 55 minutes in the K8. Several others recorded flights in gthe half hour range. Good stuff.